Miata Mailing List: October 1997, Message #224
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From: 	Nick Rayner <Nick_Rayner@Trimble.COM>

Subject: RE: Mysterious engine noise

Date: 	Wed, 1 Oct 1997 19:43:07 +0000



	Dave wrote:



> Sorta' sounds like it might be one of your heat shields, maybe a

> lttile

> loose until warmed up?

> 

I'll check that, plus the exhaust header as Aaron suggested. But I doubt

its either of these as its too regular and seems engine speed/load

related, eg: if I accelerate a little harder, or let take my foot of the

gas it stops.



> Cars also make a ticking sound when cooling down after all is shut

> down

> in a quiet environment like a garage.  Does your car make this sound

> then?

> 

It may make the a noise or two then, but not this same ticking. The

problem noise I get is steady in volume and rate, really sounds like

something pretty closely related to the engine - its rotation, lifters

(whatever they are?), valves, or something.



Other possibility might be something like the alternator? and maybe

that's why it stops after a while - when the battery is fully charged

again? Maybe I'll experiment with lights on and off or something. Still

wouldn't explain why its so engine load dependent, ie: when gently

cruising only. Hmmm.



Thanks for the thoughts.



N.



Nick Rayner

email: nick_rayner@trimble.com

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/7049